Diez y Seis Fiestas

September 10, 1997

Fiesta parade Saturday morning

Skip to next storyParade-goers and participants will be hoping for better weather this
Saturday than a year ago, when the annual 16th of September parade
begins its procession at 10 a.m. at the Buck Jackson Rodeo Grounds
parking lot on South Cedar Street.

Thunderstorms, always a potential hazard during fiestas time, washed out
last year's scheduled Saturday parade, forcing organizers to quickly
reschedule the event for Sunday.

Lineup for this year's parade entrants is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
on Saturday. Anyone who would like to participate in the parade should
call Octavio Garcia at 445-2421 by Friday. Bicycles, motorcycles,
horses, cars, trucks and floats will all be welcome in the parade.

After leaving the rodeo grounds, the parade will travel north on Cedar
Street (U.S. 285) to Sixth St., then will turn left at City Hall, and
proceed on Sixth St. for one block to Oak Street. From there, the
procession will turn right, and go north on Oak Street through downtown
to First Street, and from there turn right, passing in front of the West
of the Pecos Museum back to Cedar Street.

They parade will then come back south two blocks to the intersection of
Third and Cedar streets, and from there it will travel east on Third
Street to Peach Street, and travel south on Peach St. to Santa Rosa
Catholic Church, where the fiestas are being held.

Parade organizers expect the event to take about an hour. Everyone is
invited to come out, pick a spot along the parade route, and enjoy the celebration.

Alvarezes honored as Pioneer Family

Skip to next storyThe descendants of Francisco Juan Alvarez and his wife, Maria Saenz de
Alvarez of Brogado are being honored as the 1997 Mexican-American
Pioneer Family for Reeves County.

A reception for the Alvarez family members will take place this Saturday
at 7 p.m. at the West of the Pecos Museum, as part of the annual Diez y
Seis celebration in Pecos.

The surname Alvarez is the 15th most popular surname in the United
States according to the Institute Genealogico and historico Latino -
Americano (Latin American Institute of Genealogical and Historical
Studies).

This ancient surname, meaning "son of Alvaro" originated in Spain,
specifically from the regions of Andalucia, Aragon, Austrias, Galicia,
Leon and Navarra. Many Alvarezes can trace their ancestry to Spanish
royalty and lesser nobility.

The Institute reports that between 1509 and 1534, some 155 individuals
named Alvarez immigrated to the New World. By the 18th century this
surname had spread significantly, as native Americans adopted it from
their owners or patrons.

Two of the first recorded Texas settlers were Don Vicente Alvarez
Treveiso who served as the Alguacil, or Chief Constable of what is now
San Antonio. In 1790, 30 year-old bachelor Diego Alvarez was living in
"Tejas."

The Alvarez family from Brogado arrived and settled in that community in
the early 1880's.

Brogado, a fertile farming community located about one mile east of
Balmorhea was and continues to be an ideal farming site due to it's rich
soil and the availability of an abundance of water from the nearby San
Soloman Springs. The most prominent land owner and settle of that time
was Don Augustine Hernandez.

Francisco Juan Alvarez and his wife, Maria Saenz de Alvarez moved to
Brogado from Presidio, Tx. Francisco was a native of Julimes, Chihuahua,
Mexico and Maria was reportedly born in Salamanca, Spain. Both Francisco
and Maria died in Brogado Cemetery (El Cerro Del Nopalero).

Francisco and Maria had a son named Thomas. In the early 1890's Thomas
married Crescencia Vegil Fierro, a native of Brogado. The couple gave
birth nine children, those being: Heriberto, Eduardo, Fermin, Juan,
Nicolas, Chana, Longina and Crescencia. Maria Alvarez died in 1910.
Several years later Thomas remarried. His new wife was Juana Carrasco
and three children were born from this union...Francisco, Thomas, and
Doningo. Don Thomas Alvarez died in 1922 and he also was buried in
Brogado.

Eduardo Alvarez, one of Don Thomas' sons, was born in Brogado on Aug.
12, 1895. He lived in Brogado all his life and he married Sylvestra
Hernandez. Sylvestra was born in Brogado on Dec. 31, 1896.

Children born from this union were Lucia, Albert, Edwardo (Lalito),
Juanita, Hilario (Parna), Carolina and Celmente. Eduardo Sr. (Lalo)
Alvarez died on March 1, 1958 and Sylvestra died on Aug. 13, 1982.

Eduardo, Sr. was the last Brogado native and resident to be buried at
the "Cerro del Nopalera" (Brogado hill top cemetery). He was a barber, a
gast station owner and a farmer.

First local fiestas held back in 1925

Skip to next story Ecacio Leos and Don Feliz Zermineo are the local founders of the 16th
of September fiesta, one of the longest-running continuous events in
Pecos.

The two men were responsible for the inaugural event in 1925. The
fiesta has always been held on the east side of Pecos, although the
original site is a few blocks east of its present location in front of
Santa Rosa Catholich Church on East Fourth Street.

Dancing groups and dance bands play a large part in the celebration,
and this year is no exception. Several bands and groups of dancers are
scheduled to perform on the Santa Rosa Hall parking lot, and three bands
have been engaged for the evening dances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Food booths, a parade and «MDUL»el discurso«MDNM», a brief explanation
of the history of and meaning of the fiesta are popular events. El Grito is a part of each fiesta.

Five seeking title of Mexican Queen

Skip to next storyFive young ladies will be vying for the title of Mexican Queen during
the 16th of September Fiesta activities this weekend.

One young lady will receive the coveted title of Mexican Queen. Second
place winner will be crowned as American Queen and the third place
winner will be the Spain Queen.

Rosa Evelyn Rubio

Rosa Evelyn Rubio is a 1997 candidate for the 16th of September Queen.

She is the 13-year-old daughter of Manuel and Socorro Rubio.

This year will be her third year dancing with the Folklorico Dancers at
the celebrations held in Pecos.

She loves to dance folklorico and learn more about her Mexican culture.

Miss Rubio states that she wants to run "because it will help the
church."

She is a member of the band and a student council representative at
Crockett Middle School.

***

Monica Meza

Monica Meza is the 15-year-old daughter of Enrique and Crissy Meza.

Miss Meza is a member of the Lady Eagle Volleyball team, a basketball
player and is involved with the Pecos Eagle Band.

In her spare time she enjoys talking on the phone, hanging out with
friends and playing sports.

Miss Meza stated that she is "very excited to be involved in helping the
church celebrate an important event such as the Independence of Mexico."

"I thank all my family, friends and sponsors for helping me with this
effort," she said.

Miss Meza has two brothers, Enrique Meza Jr., Ernie Meza; one sister,
Cynthia Hinojos and two nephews, Ryan Meza and Paul Anthony Hinojos, Jr.
who she enjoys spending time with.

***

Diana Rayos

Diana Rayos is the 17-year-old daughter of Marcos and Maria Rayos.

She credits her family and friends for helping her in her quest for
Queen of 16th of September.

"The day of the fiestas we celebrate the Independence of Mexico," said
Miss Rayos. "I like going to Mexico since my favorite aunt lives there,"
she said.

Diana states that she feels nervous and excited both about running for
queen, since she is not used to speaking in public.

"This will be my first time doing something in the public," she said.

She has three sisters, Karina, Michele and Naomi and a niece and nephew
that she enjoys spending time with.

"I like being with my family, my friends, and going to dances," said
Miss Rayos. "I love to babysit my niece and nephew and spend lots of
time with them," she said.

***

Graciela Garcia

Graciela Garcia is the 17-year-old daughter of Eleuterio and Rachel
Garcia and is a senior at Pecos High School.

Graciela's activities at school are: feature editor of the school
newspaper, a member of the Eagle Band, the A.N.G.E.L.S. Program and
Business Professionals of America.

Her community activities include, the Pecos Youth Advisory Council and
the Sheriff's Department Explorers Unit.

Graciela has also been named to Who's Who Among High School Students in
America for two consecutive years and has been nominated to attend the
National Youth Leadership Conference for Law in Washington, D.C.

Graciela said, "I am proud to be a part of this year's 16th of September
Celebration and to continue a family tradition of over 75 years, that
teach each of our generations, our history, tradition, culture, roots
and heredity."

Graciela thanks all the community for its strong support of the fiesta
this year and is proud to call Pecos home.

***

Debra Quiroz

Debra Quiroz is a 1997 candidate for the 16th of September Queen.

She is the 16-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cruz Quiroz, Sr.

"I am glad to be participating in this event because I love to help the
church and I think it will be a great experience," said Miss Quiroz.

The 16th of September Fiestas are the greatest, according to Quiroz.

"They remind me of our Mexican culture," she said.

Miss Quiroz is a member of the Barstow Choir and a member of D.E.C.A. at Pecos High School.

Events celebrate 1810 uprising

Return to topThe Mexican Independence celebration Diez y Seis, also known by its
English equivalent 16th of September, is a diverse and lively
celebration commemorating Mexico's independence from Spain and
remembering the priest/revolutionary hero Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla,
a parish priest in the town of Dolores.

It was on Sep.16, 1810, Hidalgo's rousing speech spurred the
disenfranchised to violently rebel against their gachopine (native-born
Spanish) rulers.

Hidalgo's speech (the exact words are lost but the idea remains),
referred to as the Grito de Dolores, demanded: "My children, a new
dispensation comes to us this day. Are you ready to receive it? Will
you be free? Will you make an effort to recover from the hated
Spaniards the lands stolen from your forefathers 300 years ago? We must
act at once . . . Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe! Death to bad
government!"

In Mexico City, Avenida Madero--the main street leading to the
Zocalo--is closed off early the night of Sep. 15. From then until
midnight the street is filled with joyous people, who frighten each
other by blowing horns and tossing confetti. By 11 o'clock the Zocalo is
filled with thousands of people. Here the President of the Republic
makes his appearance on the balcony of the National Palace and gives the
grito, the call. This is in reference to El Grito de Dolores, issued by
Father Hidalgo that 16th of Sep., only now the call has changed to
"Mexicans, long live our heroes! Long live our independence! Long live
Mexico!"

The President then rings what is said to be the very bell which Hidalgo
rang so many years ago, in order to bring the people together, as a
symbol for rejoicing. The air then fills with the clamor of church
bells, factory whistles, and automobile horns. Then the fireworks are
ignited.

The stated capitals follow the same procedure. The grito is issued by
the state governor and is followed by fireworks. In other cities,
towns, and villages the municipal president officiates and there is also
a serenata followed with fireworks. In rural schools there are fiestas
on the sixteenth, attended by the municipal authorities. The students
put on programs with songs, dances, and recitations.

While the cities there are often military parades, in most of the
smaller villages the people themselves put on informal parades. They
will usually select a boy, who dresses like a priest, to represent
Hidalgo, and a young girl to be a queen, or the Patria, the fatherland.

In a village of Oaxaca, this young Hidalgo and Queen drive around in an
old carriage, whereas in San Jose Vista Hermosa, Morelos, the young
Patria in white rode horseback while Hidalgo walked beside her. They
were accompanied by a Chinaco, an insurgent, dressed in a charro suit,
carrying a Spanish flag to show that all was forgiven.

Pecos EnterpriseMac McKinnon, PublisherDivision of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321e-mail: news@pecos.netAssociated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP Materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing.